Actuator configuration and method, in particular, for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine

An actuator configuration for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, the actuator configuration comprising:

• an electrically activated actuator;
• a power switch connected to said actuator for activating said actuator;
• at least one switch;
• a control input for receiving a control signal from an external control unit through a control line, the control signal actuating said power switch, said control input connected to:
• said power switch;
• and
• said at least one switch for influencing electrical input characteristics of the actuator configuration;
• and
• a diagnostic circuit for sensing at least one operating state of the actuator configuration, said diagnostic circuit having:
• a circuit input connected to at least to one of the group consisting of said actuator and said power switch;
• and
• a circuit output connected to said at least one switch for influencing the input characteristics as a function of the at least one operating state and, as a result, permitting remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line.

In an actuator assembly having an external control unit sending a control signal through a control line, an actuator configuration comprising:

• an electrically activated actuator;
• a power switch connected to said actuator for activating said actuator;
• at least one switch;
• a control input connected to the control line for actuating said power switch with the control signal, said control input connected to:
• said power switch;
• and
• said at least one switch for influencing electrical input characteristics of the actuator configuration;
• and
• a diagnostic circuit for sensing at least one operating state of the actuator configuration, said diagnostic circuit having:
• a circuit input connected to at least to one of the group consisting of said actuator and said power switch;
• and
• a circuit output connected to said at least one switch for influencing the input characteristics as a function of the at least one operating state and, as a result, permitting remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line.

In an actuator assembly having an external control unit sending a control signal through a control line, an actuator configuration for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, the actuator configuration comprising:

• an electrically activated actuator;
• a power switch connected to said actuator for activating said actuator;
• at least one switch;
• a control input connected to the control line for actuating said power switch with the control signal, said control input connected to:
• said power switch;
• and
• said at least one switch for influencing electrical input characteristics of the actuator configuration;
• and
• a diagnostic circuit for sensing at least one operating state of the actuator configuration, said diagnostic circuit having:
• a circuit input connected to at least to one of the group consisting of said actuator and said power switch;
• and
• a circuit output connected to said at least one switch for influencing the input characteristics as a function of the at least one operating state and, as a result, permitting remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line.

A method for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, which comprises:

• providing an actuator configuration having a control input, an electrically activated actuator, and a power switch for activating the actuator;
• producing a control signal with an external control unit and transmitting the control signal through a control line to the control input;
• actuating the power switch with the control signal through the control input;
• sensing an operating state of the actuator configuration with a diagnostic circuit having an input connected at least to one of the group consisting of the actuator and the power switch;
• influencing electrical input characteristics of the actuator configuration by connecting the control input to at least one switch;
• and
• influencing the input characteristics as a function of an operating state of the actuator configuration by connecting an output of the diagnostic circuit to the at least one switch and, as a result, enabling remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line.